8 And Judah said to Israel his father, “Send the boy with me, and we will arise and go, that we may live and not die, both we and you and also our little ones. 9 I will be a pledge of his safety. From my hand you shall require him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever.” ~ Genesis 43:8-9ESV
Sometimes it feels like we’ll never be able to make up for the wrong that we’ve done, but God always makes a way for us. Reuben (the eldest) was the firstborn and the first to offer to take Benjamin (the youngest) to Egypt under his watch, but Jacob (their father) told him no. It wasn’t until Judah promised to watch him that Jacob agreed to allow Benjamin to go to Egypt so that they could buy grain. Why is that so significant?
It was Judah’s idea to sell Joseph into slavery. If Judah had never come up with the idea to sell Joseph, then they probably would’ve just left him in the pit, and Reuben would’ve been able to save him and bring him back to their father. Judah’s hatred for his brother was his downfall, but it wasn’t his destruction. We all make mistakes. All of us have regrets, but if we repent and can learn from them and grow, God will give us a way to redeem ourselves. Whether it’s helping someone going through the same thing or in another way, God always gives us the opportunity.
Judah not only was able to take Benjamin safely to Egypt, but when Joseph tested him, unknowingly, he was willing to take Benjamin’s place and punishment. He had learned from his past actions and had overcome that root of rejection and envy that had a hold on him. That caused him to betray his baby brother and his father.
Think about a regret you have in your life, dig until you find the root, and then set it before the LORD. He already paid your debt; He’s just waiting for you to come to Him with your burden. Then once you have repented and have given Him your burden, learn and help someone else.
Peace. Love. Go Forth and Repent, Learn, and Help.
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